I just got the gambler blaze a couple days ago and had some time to hit with it. No robot time or drills yet so my opinion might change, but below is after 2 days if hitting.

Below is a super fast review:

1. The reviewer: I used to play a lot, not as much any more. At my peak (pre-kids) I could hang with 1500-1700 players (depending on their style). Now, not so much. I've gone through some rubbers and blades over the years though so I feel like I have a good feel for several.

I play pretty aggressive close to the table looping style, thus I like tacky. If we get into a loop battle I will probably block untill you give me a poor loop.

I have been playing with a TG2 NEO on a DJ Fly (clipper clone) for a year or so. I play a modified seemiller grip so I only really use one side of the blade. I like tg2 neo better than H3 as it is easier to control and to me seems way spinnier.

2. Physical Properties:I got the red in 2.1, its pretty tacky but not as much as tg2 neo. Pretty sweet looking teal color sponge. You can find pics on the web so I won't talk much about this here.

3. Speed: The rubber seems very linear. Not like a Hexer that is way faster at higher speed, way slow at low speed.

Speed was a little slower than TG2 neo... but just barely.

The speed seems more linear than compared to tg2. At really hard swings, there is a point on tg2 where its tough to land. The burst is easy to smash.

4. Spin: Spin feels good. Does not feel as high as TG2 neo, but it may need some time to break in. Looping feels really good. Counter looping is much easier as it is less affected by spin than tg2 neo.

For those loops where you grab the ball super thin (grazing loop), the TG2 grabs like CRAZY and can do insane spin. The Burst does well, but just doesn't grab like a tg2. I'm not sure if the spin is less, or that the throw is lower and so it "feels" less.

5. Control:This rubber SHINES in control. Everything lands on the table for a fast rubber. Granted I'm comparing this to the TG2 neo. I could counter loop shots with the burst that if I tried with the TG2 I would have to block to keep it on the table.

Blocking is much better than with TG2 neo, probably b/c it slightly less tacky.

6. Other Playing properties: Throw: higher than sevens pro or 999T (I don't think 999 has a very high throw), lower than H3 neo or TG2 neo. As with speed, throw is very linear as well. What you put in, you get out.

Conclusion If you read the above, I kinda makes it sound like its just a mediocre rubber. But you have to remember I'm comparing it to the TG2 neo which, I think, excels at the over the table loop game. TG2 is hard to control though. I play MUCH better with the burst. People still send the ball long (because it has great spin) and the speed is defiantly not slow... but I hit the table more often.

I think for people under the 1800 mark, burst plays well and is far easier to use than tg2 neo.

My hopes for this rubber: In the next couple days, I hope spin picks up (TG2 needed several weeks to break in), that the tackiness holds, and that the control stays. I hope the tackiness doesn't die off and is hard to maintain like a 999t is.

After playing with this for a while now I find myself going back to TG2 neo. The TG2 neo less controllable but far spinnier over the table. Burst blocks WAY better, but tg2 is more deadly on the attack and serve.

No seriously I want that failed sheet give us an e mail I will send you a replacement and a prepaid. I have glued hundreds of these with not so much as a blemish. It looks crispy I wonder if it got soaked with the top sheet adhesive

My club rating at Alameda California TT club is 1100 I play close/middle distance with 3rd/5th ball attacks

I'm looking to replace my existing forehand Battle 2.My swing speed is relatively slow. I cannot fully use Burst Thor's hammer sponge at this time.I don't use a protective sheet so the Burst topsheet is just grippy.Top sheet is durable and firmly attached to sponge.

No seriously I want that failed sheet give us an e mail I will send you a replacement and a prepaid. I have glued hundreds of these with not so much as a blemish. It looks crispy I wonder if it got soaked with the top sheet adhesive

Tom

Tom, Is the Thor's hammer sponge much heavier than the regular? Thanks!

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